The NCAA stipulates that once you have become an "athletics representative," YOU ARE ONE FOREVER, even if you no longer contribute to or are involved in the athletics program.

Important Rules You Should Know Involving The Recruitment Of Prospective Student-Athletes

What Is Considered "Being Recruited?"

A prospect is considered recruited if a coach, staff member, or representative of the University's athletic interest (booster) attempts to persuade a prospect (or family member) to enroll at Nicholls and participate in the athletics program. A student is considered "recruited" if any of the following actions are taken: 1.) the University provides the prospect with an "official visit" (i.e., expenses paid) to its campus; 2.) a coach arranges for an in-person, off-campus (home or prospect's school) encounter with the prospect; 3.) transportation to campus by a coach or booster; 4.) receiving more than one telephone call from a coach for recruiting purposes.

Prospects considered "recruited," but who do not receive an athletic scholarship (walk-on), may not be able to accept non-athletic scholarships from alumni groups if the prospect intends to participate on an intercollegiate athletic team. Under NCAA rules, such aid counts against the institution's athletic scholarship limits. Scholarships which are "portable" (can be used at any institution) are usually exempt.

Status Of Signees Who Do Not Enroll Or Meet Eligibility Requirements

A prospect who signs a National Letter Of Intent, but who does not enroll as a full-time student at the beginning of the fall semester, reverts to the status of a prospect again and is subject to all NCAA rules governing recruiting. Remember, only University coaches and appointed athletic staff may be involved in the recruiting process.

Do You Have A Pre-Existing Relationship With A Prospect?

NCAA rules do provide an exception to the contact restrictions in instances where a person has had a pre-existing relationship with a prospect. However, the relationship must have been established prior to the prospect entering the ninth grade. Pre-existing relationships do not permit a person to engage in athletic recruiting activities. It only allows the same activities, which existed prior to becoming a prospect, to continue.

A Representative Of Athletics Interests May Not...

YOU MAY NOT contact a prospect's coach, principal or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the prospect.

YOU MAY NOT visit a prospect's institution to pick up film/videotape or transcripts pertaining to the evaluation of the prospect's academic or athletic ability.

YOU MAY NOT offer promise to a prospect of employment after college graduation.

YOU MAY NOT provide employment arrangements for prospect's relatives.

YOU MAY NOT provide loans to prospect's relatives or friends.

YOU MAY NOT provide sponsorship of or arrangement for an awards banquet for prospects by Nicholls State University, representatives of its athletics interests, or its alumni or booster clubs.

YOU MAY NOT offer awards to a prospect for outstanding athletics accomplishments (except as permitted by NCAA Bylaw 13.2.3c).

YOU MAY NOT become directly or indirectly involved in making arrangements for a prospect, or the prospect's relatives or friends, to receive money or financial aid of any kind.

YOU MAY NOT provide ANYTHING to or for a prospect, relative or friend, without first checking with the Office of Compliance Office at Nicholls State University Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

A Representative Of Athletics Interests May...

YOU MAY speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospect initiates the telephone conversation, AND the call is not for recruiting purposes. The athletics representative must refer questions about the University's athletics program to the athletics department staff.

YOU MAY observe a prospect's athletics contest on his or her own initiative, provided that no face-to-face contact with the prospective student-athlete or prospective student-athlete's relatives takes place. Should you find yourself seated next to a parent, guardian, or relative of a prospect, DO NOT initiate a conversation with the relatives. If conversation is initiated with you, please respond in a civil manner but DO NOT discuss Nicholls athletics programs with them. If they raise questions about the programs, remind them that the NCAA prohibits you from discussing the programs with them. Direct their questions to the Nicholls coaching staff.

YOU MAY continue established family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contact with sons or daughters of these families certainly are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes and are not prompted by Nicholls coaching staff members. You are permitted to play "pick up" basketball or softball games, continue neighborhood picnics or backyard barbecues and engage in your normal activities with prospects and their parents who are family friends. Again, you are simply not permitted to attempt to recruit the prospect or discuss the athletics programs.

YOU MAY attend a public event (e.g., a high school awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance. NO attempt should be made to contact or recruit the prospect at these events.

YOU MAY send to the Nicholls coaching staff any newspaper clippings or other information about prospects which you think would be of interest. Your assistance in this way is very helpful. The coaching staff will then make the contact with the prospect.

YOU MAY offer assistance to members of the Nicholls coaching staff who are recruiting in your community, such as providing the coach with transportation or suggesting people to contact for information on a prospect.

Unavoidable, incidental contact made with a prospect is not prohibited. Contact is considered unavoidable and/or incidental only when:

Student Athlete Employment

You may provide or assist student-athletes in finding legitimate employment during the academic year, via the coaching staff of that sport. Please check with the Compliance Office before becoming involved in the employment of a student-athlete. Prior approval is required. Regardless of when the employment occurs, the student-athlete's employment must meet the following basic guidelines:

Employing Prospective Student-Athletes

Prospects may not be employed for athletic or recruiting reasons. They may be employed if they have applied for an advertised position in which the public has equal access to the position, and their athletic abilities are not a factor in being hired. After a prospect has signed a National Letter of Intent, you may contact the prospect for the purpose of discussing employment as long as the employment does not begin until after high school graduation. If you are interested in doing such, you must first contact a member of that sport's coaching staff.

What Would Happen If A Violation Occurred?

Nicholls is required by the NCAA to notify representatives of athletics interests (boosters) of consequences regarding rules violations. Representatives of athletic interests found in violation of NCAA rules are subject to losing benefits and privileges, including season tickets.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions has processed cases in which penalties have included cases in which penalties have included both the disassociation of representatives of athletic interests and the loss of season ticket privileges.

A Representative Of Athletics Interests May Not...

YOU MAY NOT provide awards to a student-athlete for his or her athletic performance without approval from the Nicholls Intercollegiate Athletics Department. All awards must be approved by Nicholls State University.

YOU MAY NOT provide an honorarium to a student-athlete for a speaking engagement. Only necessary travel expenses can be given when speaking to educational or charitable groups. All speaking engagements must be approved in advance by the Nicholls Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

YOU MAY NOT allow a student-athlete, his or her friends or relatives to use your telephone to make free long distance calls.

YOU MAY NOT provide use of an automobile.

YOU MAY NOT provide them hospitality in your home other than for an occasional meal.

YOU MAY NOT invite them to your summer or vacation home to go water skiing, sailing, etc.

YOU MAY NOT offer promise of financial aid for post-graduate education.

YOU MAY NOT offer gifts of clothing or equipment.

YOU MAY NOT co-sign loans.

YOU MAY NOT offer cash or like items.

YOU MAY NOT offer any tangible items, including merchandise.

YOU MAY NOT provide free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type.

YOU MAY NOT offer free or reduced-cost housing.

YOU MAY NOT offer use of institutional athletics equipment.

A Representative Of Athletics Interests May...

YOU MAY invite a student-athlete to your home for an occasional home meal. Remember, the student-athlete must provide his or her transportation. You may do this a maximum of one time per school term per student-athlete.

YOU MAY invite a team for dinner or to meet with a group of alumni in a city where they are competing. The NCAA permits student-athletes, AS A TEAM, to receive special benefits not permitted as individuals. Arrangements for such events must be made in advance with the head coach or the Nicholls Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

YOU MAY meet with and receive autographs from student-athletes during Nicholls sponsored pre-season events (e.g., Media Day). Please be aware it is not permissible for you to sell the autographs or use the autographs to raise money for a special project.

Arrangements That Involve Prospects' Coaches And Teachers

Arrangements that involve a material benefit to a prospect's coach or an individual responsible for teaching or directing activity in which the prospect is involved is prohibited.

Prohibited benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:

entertainment of high school, prep school or two-year college coaches, except providing a maximum of two complimentary admissions issued through a pass list to the institution's home athletics contests. However, additional admissions may not be reserved; or transportation reimbursement to a coach who transports a prospect to campus.